Holy crap, I'm both liberal and an atheist I feel so smart.
Seriously, though all keep my post modest because I know this topic could get me banned (easily).
I am not surprised by this at all for one most atheists probably are educated and think about religion a lot, they don't just blindly follow what their society and culture tells them are truths. So they probably often look for their own answers on what their own worldview is. They might do research, read philosophy or study objective science. Secondly, most people in the US who are not associated with religion (It is RISING!!!) claim to be just "Not Religous" and not atheists or agnostics. The average nonreligous person might not have a higher IQ it might only be the same as theists. I would have to see the actual research paper.
Note that most scientific research reported by the media is blown out of proportion, and cut and pasted to make the story interesting. Just look at all the mothers playing baby Einstein for there children a phenomenon that was seen after the media started reporting that babies IQ's were shown to be higher when they were played the music each day. BULLSHIT!!! It turns out that the research only ONCE showed a very modest increases on test performance in "college students" who listened to classical music for 15-20 before taking a test. As compared to a control group of no music, and other kinds of music played. Once again this was hardly significant statistically and it was done on college students not babies. The study has never been replicated, yet the media reports lies and says playing classical music for your child will increase his IQ. The lesson I take from this is go directly to the source, read the research and draw your own conclusions. Sounds to me like something a reasonable intelligent person would do. To be skeptical, is the job of an intelligent person and it is taught by professors and teachers throughout the scholarly world. Science teaches us to be skeptical.
On liberalism and intelligence, I believe if you look at conservative states you will find a higher rate of obesity and lower IQ. If you look at a liberal state like California and to some extent Colorado (you will find healthier individuals (greater exercise and lower obesity rates) that are liberal and have higher IQ's. I should look up the data on intelligence per region in the United States, but I'm fairly positive there would be higher intelligence rates in healthier more liberal regions.
Danm, I didn't know the surveywas from England, still very interesting.
